The Above Photo: Ivan, Nadia, Miroslav, Tanya and John discuss the pandemic corruption that has paralyzed Ukraine on every level of operations. Even in Ivano-Frankivsk there is corruption in the lowest levels of the civic stratum!
The first day of the week began as the last week ended—fast and furious! This trip has brought me face-to-face with the corruption that confronts operations on every level of civility. The evil has been known for many years and efforts have been many trying to reign in the corruption. But it seems that “now” is definitely worse than “then.”
Various anecdotal reports have told of those practicing corruption’s evil. Their actions result in some of the most hideous acts—murder by throwing acid on a person is so far the most heinous action documented.
There are those reading this who know very well the corruption that has poisoned your nation. Many seem indifferent to such as long as all involved “benefit.”
But let me ask you to pause and ask, “What does the Lord God Almighty think of your involvement in corruption?” You do not have to wonder because God Himself has said what He thinks. Listen to God as He speaks to you from The Bible:
“You shall not take a bribe, for a bribe blinds the clear-sighted and subverts the cause of the just” (The Bible, Exodus 23:8).
Maybe you need God to use simple words, “Cursed is he who accepts a bribe” (The Bible, Deuteronomy 27:25).
And why are you taking a bribe? God says He knows your actions, “A wicked man receives a bribe to pervert the ways of justice” (The Bible, Proverbs 17:23).
God summarizes your action…“a bribe corrupts the heart; Everyone loves a bribe and do not defend the orphan, nor hear the widow’s plea; bribes take away the rights of the ones who are in the right; you have taken bribes and you have injured your neighbors for gain by oppression, and you have forgotten Me, declares the Lord God!” (The Bible, Ecclesiastes 7:7; Is 1:23; 5:23; Ezekiel 22:12).
BUT there is forgiveness for those who have allowed corruption to control them. “Who among us can live with God? He who rejects unjust gain and shakes his hands so that they hold no bribe” (The Bible, Isaiah 33:14-15).
If you do NOT want to be cursed by God then “shake your hands so they hold no bribe!”
Today I met with the Public Anti-Corruption Organization Law & Justice. This is a public organization just registered in Ukraine. I was given a copy of its by-laws to read and to pass on to those in the United States of America government. This public organization is collecting names and specifics of corruption. Its meetings will be open for all to attend. The news media will be invited to each meeting and a full set of documents regarding corruption in all levels of society will be posted. Although the majority are Ukrainian jurists the committee also has international jurists in its number.
Our evening Bible study went well. We continue the study of Philippians. A number of members have been struggling with fever, respiratory congestion and a number of other issues. Thankfully some have recovered enough to be back and others were “fever-free” today and hope to be out tomorrow. Tonight, we had 15 attending.
Tomorrow is another day scheduled to the max. We will go to Yaremche (the scene of Will Tucker’s defeat in soccer by 5th grade girls). We have helped the First Regional Clinic there with a number of items and they have asked me to visit. We still need to schedule some meetings with various officials in the Oblast. And then we end the day with a good Bible study
Gary, Ron, John and the others involved in the medical seminar are in Kyiv and will board the train later today and arrive in Ivano-Frankivsk early Wednesday morning!
Please continue praying for our on-going efforts!
John L. Kachelman, Jr. Ivano-Frankivsk, Ukraine
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